Water expulsion system

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an improvement for use in deepwater hydraulic power units, utilizing a chemical reaction to generate a gas to evacuate a chamber into which ambient seawater is passed after being throttled through a hydraulic motor.

United States Patent 1151 3,670,680

Kriedt 1451 June 20, 1972 54 WATER EXPULSION SYSTEM [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS [72] Inventor: Frederick A. Kriedt, 604 Alma St. S.E.,

Vienna, Va. 22180 1,274,230 7/1918 Arazoza ..1 14/52 4 ..l 14 Filed: sept- 19,70 3,50 ,648 4/1970 Knedt I16 R X 2 pp No; 75 46 Primary E.mnzinerTrygve BiiX Attorney-R. S. Sciascia, Q. E. Hodges and R. M. Wohlfanh 52] US. Cl. ..1 14/16 R, 60/51 ABSTRACT II'IL The resent invention is an improvement for use in deepwater [58] Field of Search ..l 14/ l 6 R, 16 E, 52; 60/51; hydraulic power units, utilizing a chemical reaction to 61/69 R generate a gas to evacuate a chamber into which ambient seawater is passed after being throttled through a hydraulic motor.

12 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDmzo [97 3,670,680 sum 10F 2 FIG.

INVENTOR. FREDERICK A. KR/EDT WATER EXPULSION SYSTEM The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for Governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to deepwater hydraulic power units which derive their power from admitting ambient seawater at depths up to 20,000 feet into an evacuated chamber. The seawater is throttled through a hydraulic motor before exhausting into the chamber. In order for this power unit to be available for use for more than a one time filling of the sphere there must be a capability to evacuate the chamber. The invention utilizes a chemical reaction to produce a gas. The gas is used to displace the seawater in the chamber thereby evacuating it. A second chemical reaction is used to consume the gas in the chamber and thereby lower the pressure to a point where the chamber can again be used in the power cycle.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art in the field of deepwater hydraulic power units has fallen into two main categories: one is of the type that can only be used until its evacuated tanks are filled with seawater, and the other employs a separate power source to pump the water out of the tanks.

The first type wherein the device has a useful life only until its evacuated tanks are filled has necessitated the use of extremely large tanks or a multiplicity of smaller tanks. Both of these situations contribute to a large and unweildy package requiring much ballast. This concept is shown in applicant's prior art U.S. Pat. No. 3,504,648.

The other type of device utilizes a separate power source which is used to drive a pump, which pump empties the seawater from the tanks. The use of additional power supplies in the submerged station obviates the need for the hydraulic power unit. Since a storage type of power supply must be used to power the pump when it is desired to empty the tanks, it.

would be as efficient to use the separate storage type of power supply for the primary need and eliminate the hydraulic motor. This concept is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,205,969.

SUMMARY This invention utilizes a chemical reaction that liberates a gas, with the gas being used to displace the ambient seawater in the tank of a deepwater hydraulic power unit. When the gas has completely displaced the seawater and the tank is closed off by valves, a second chemical reaction consumes the gas in the tanks to complete the evacuation thereof. At this point the tank can again be opened to receive ambient seawater that is throttled through a fluid motor.

This utilization of the products of two chemical reactions to evacuate the tanks of a deepwater power unit greatly extends the on-site life of the unit. The storage needed for the chemicals used in the reactions is relatively small and enough chemicals can be provided for multiple evacuations. Thus, without sacrifice of useful volume in the tanks and less need for compensating ballast, prolonged use can be made of the readily available source of hydraulic power at great ocean depths.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view, in section, of one embodiment of the subject invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view, in section, of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view, in section, of still another alternative embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIG. 1, a well known type of deepwater hydraulic power station 8 is shown with the power unit section l0, spherical tank 12 and the subject water expulsion system 14 encased in a unit 16 of buoyant material with sufficient strength to withstand crushing at the pressures of the proposed operating depth of 20,000 feet. A ballast section 18, usually of concrete, is attached on the lower surface of the unit 16 by means of release mechanisms 20 that are capable of operation by remote control. In this way the disposable concrete ballast 18 can be released by a signal from a surface tender when it is desired to retrieve the power station. The buoyant unit 16 will then bring the station to the surface.

The power unit section 10 is well known and is a removable unit held in position in the unit 16 by a plate 22 and screws 24. The power section 10 has a fluid or hydraulic motor 26 which is connected to a motor generator 28 or other convenient power source by a drive shaft 30. The motor generator 28 is shown encased in an oil filled section 32 of the unit 10. The generator leads 34 extend out of the plate 22 where they can be attached to test equipment. The ambient seawater enters through a conduit 36 to a throttle valve 38 which can be set according to the power requirements of the test equipment. The seawater then flows through conduit 40 to the input side of the hydraulic motor 26. The exhaust seawater from the motor 26 flows through conduit 42, valve 44 and into the evacuated sphere 12. Thus whenever power is required the valve 44 is opened causing the ambient seawater to drive the motor 26 which can be repeated until the sphere I2 is filled. At this point the sphere must be evacuated through conduit 46 and valve 48 if additional power is needed.

When the sphere 12 is filled with water the expulsion system 14 is utilized to evacuate the sphere. The expulsion system 14 is a removable unit, similar to power unit 10, so that if desired, the station can be left on site indefinitely with the unit 14 being replaced when exhausted.

Hydrogen gas is the driving gas that is generated to displace the seawater in the sphere 12. The hydrogen gas is generated by means of commercially available pellets which when admixed with seawater produces heat and hydrogen. The pellets are contained in a chamber 50 which is connected to the sphere 12 by a conduit 52 with the pellet flow therethrough controlled by valve 54. Thus if valve 44 is closed, valve 48 opened, and valve 54 opened allowing pellets to drop into the sphere 12 the hydrogen gas and heat generated therein will displace the seawater and force it out conduit 46. With the closing of valve 48 and 54 the sphere 12 will be filled with hot hydrogen gas. To provide cooling for the sphere 12 a cooling manifold or jacket 56 surrounds the sphere. An intake pipe 58 brings the cold seawater past intake valve 60 to the lowest point on the jacket 56. Similarly, an exhaust pipe 62 takes the warm water from the highest point on the jacket 56 and exhausts it. Thus when valve 60 is opened the warm water will flow by convection up and around the jacket 56 and out the exhaust pipe 62. Simultaneously, cold water will flow through the intake pipe 58 and into the jacket 56 to replace it.

The above functions are controlled in a relatively simple and straightforward manner. The valves 44, 48 54 and 60 are servo-operated. A pressure sensing switch 64 sends a signal when the pressure in the sphere approaches ambient pressure. The signal closes the valve 44 which remains closed throughout the evacuation cycle. The signal also opens valves 48 and 54 and closes valve 60. This allows, as set forth above, the pellets to drop out of chamber 50 into sphere 12 and admix with the seawater liberating hydrogen gas and heat, which displaces the seawater and forces the water out conduit 46 past valve 48. When the hot gas has displaced all of the water, a water level switch 66 is activated which sends a signal that closes valves 48 and 54 and opens valve 60. This closes off the sphere filled with the hot gas and allows the flow of cool water through the cooling jacket to lower the temperature of the sphere.

To complete the evacuation cycle a second chemical reaction is utilized which consumes the hydrogen gas in the sphere 12. This second reaction is carried out by combining the hydrogen in the sphere 12 and oxygen in a chamber and initiating combustion by a spark. A container of oxygen 68, in the unit 14, is connected to a combustion chamber 70 through a valve 72. The hydrogen from sphere 12 flows through conduit 74, past valve 76 and check valve 78 into the chamber 70. With the admixing of hydrogen and oxygen in chamber 70, in the presence of a spark from an igniter 80 to initiate combustion, water is formed.

The combustion process taking place in chamber 70 forces the water formed therein into holding tank 84. As the tank 84 fills up with water, additional combustion may force the water out conduit 86 and past check valve 88.

As in the first reaction, the above function is controlled in a relatively simple and straightforward manner. The valves 72, 76 and 82 are servo-operated by a signal produced by a thermo-couple, unit 90. When the fiow of cooling water has sufficiently cooled the sphere 12 and the hydrogen gas therein, the thermo-couple unit opens valves 72, 76 and 82. This permits the hydrogen to flow through conduit 74 past valve 76 and check valve 78 and admix in chamber 70 with the oxygen that has flowed out of container 68. When the hydrogen in sphere 12 has been consumed, and the pressure has dropped, the pressure sensitive switch 64 sends a signal closing valves 60, 72, 76 and 82 and resetting valve 44 so that it may again be opened when power is needed. The cycle is now complete and the station again ready to generate power when needed.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an alternate means of evacuating sphere 12 is shown. The basic structure of the power station 8 is similar to that of FIG. 1 and like numerals are used to identify like components. The difference in the station of FIG. 2, resides in the structure of the water expulsion system 14' and how it generates the gas used to displace the water in the sphere 12. Also, the system 14' is a removable unit so that when exhausted it can be replaced without removing the station 8 from its site.

As in the embodiment of FIG. 1, hydrogen is the driving gas that is generated to displace the seawater in sphere 12. The hydrogen is generated by mixing an acid and a metal. The example to be used for purposes of illustration here is the admixing of sulphuric acid and copper which liberates hydrogen and leaves a residue of copper sulphate. The acid is contained in a vessel 92 which has a charge of nitrogen 94 under high pressure to insure that the acid will flow on demand. The acid flows through a conduit 96, with flow therethrough controlled by a valve 98, into a chamber 100 containing a quantity of metal 102. The chamber 100 is connected by conduit 104 through valve 106 to the sphere 12. Thus, if sphere 12 is filled with seawater at the end of a cycle, as in FIG. 1, and valve 44 is closed and valve 48 is open, the sphere can be emptied of seawater by opening valves 98 and 106 thus admixing the acid and metal in chamber 100 and piping the hydrogen into sphere 12 through conduit 104. The hydrogen will then displace the seawater forcing it out conduit 46.

The control of this first chemical reaction is relatively simple and straightforward as the valves 98 and 106 are also servo-operated. A pressure sensitive switch 108 is energized when the sphere 12 is filled with seawater sending a signal to the valves. The signal closes valve 44, which remains closed throughout the evacuation cycle. The signal also opens valves 48, 98 and 106. This allows, as set forth above, the acid to mix with the metal and the liberated hydrogen to flow out of chamber 100 and into the sphere 12 to displace the seawater and force it out conduit 46. When all the seawater has been evacuated a water level switch 1 10 is energized which sends a signal that closes valves 48, 98 and 106. This stops the admixing of the acid and metal and closes ofithe sphere 12 that is now filled with hydrogen.

To complete the evacuation cycle a second chemical reaction is utilized which consumes the hydrogen gas in the sphere 12. The second reaction is carried out, like that in FIG. 1, by combining the hydrogen from the sphere 12 with oxygen in a chamber and providing combustion by means of a spark. A container of oxygen 68, in the unit 14', is connected to a combustion chamber 70' through a valve 72'. The hydrogen from sphere l2 flows through a conduit 74', past a valve 76' and check valve 78 into the chamber 70'. With the admixing of hydrogen and oxygen in chamber 70, in the presence of a spark from an igniter 80 to initiate combustion, water is formed.

The combustion process taking place in chamber 70 forces the water formed therein into holding tank 84'. As the tank 84' fills up with water additional combustion may force the water out conduit 86' and past check valve 88.

As in the first chemical reaction of this example, the functions are controlled by signals sent to the valves 72', 76 and 82' by the water level switch 110. The signal from switch that closed valves 48, 98 and 106 in the first reaction also opens valves. 72', 76', and 82'. This permits the hydrogen to flow through conduit 74', past valve 76 and check valve 78' and admix in chamber 70' with the oxygen that has flowed out of container 68'. When the hydrogen in sphere 12 has been consumed, and the pressure has dropped, the pressure sensitive switch 108 sends a signal closing valves 72', 76 and 82 and resetting valve 44 so that it may again be opened when power is needed.

Referring now to FIG. 3, another alternative means of evacuating sphere 12 is shown. As in FIGS. 1 and 2, the structure of the station 8 is similar and for simplicity has not been shown in FIG. 3. Also, the structure of the water expulsion system 14" is similar to that of FIG. 2 since both the gas generating and gas consuming cycles are contained in the expulsion system module and the two chemical reactions are controlled by a pressure switch and a water level switch. The difference in the systems is in the driving gas in this example, carbon dioxide, and in the chemicals used in the reactions to generate it and consume it. As in the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2 the expulsion module 14" is adopted to be removed and replaced when the chemicals contained therein are exhausted.

As mentioned above, the driving gas in this embodiment is carbon dioxide and it is generated by admixing an acid and a carbonate in solution. The example to be used for the purposes of illustration is the admixing of sodium carbonate in solution and hydrochloric acid which will liberate the carbon dioxide. The carbonate solution is contained in a vessel 112 with a conduit 114 and valve 116 to control the flow to a mixing tank 118. The acid is contained in a vessel 120 whose flow to mixing tank 118 is controlled by conduit 122 and valve 124. The mixing tank is connected to the sphere 12 by a conduit 104' and valve 106 as in FIG. 2. Thus at the end of a cycle of use, the sphere 12 is filled with seawater and the pressure switch 108, as in FIG. 2, will be energized and send a signal that closes valve 44, and opens valves 48, 106, 116 and 124. This allows the acid and the carbonate solution to flow and admix in chamber 118 thereby liberating carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide flows through conduit 104 and past valve 106 to sphere 12 where it displaces the water, forcing it out conduit 46 past valve 48. When all the seawater has been displaced by carbon dioxide the water level switch 110 is energized sending a signal that closes valves 48, 106, 116 and 124 thus stopping the chemical reaction and closing the sphere 12 with its volume of carbon dioxide.

To complete the evacuation cycle a second chemical reaction is utilized to consume the carbon dioxide. This consuming of the carbon dioxide is accomplished by admixing it with ammonia which yields ammonium carbonate. The ammonia is contained in a vessel 126 and flows to a mixing chamber 128 through a conduit 130 with a valve 132 therein. The carbon dioxide flows from sphere 12 through conduit 74', past valve 76' to the chamber 128 where it admixes with the ammonia. The control of this function involves the water level switch 1 10 whose signal also opens valves 76' and 132 in addition to closing valves 48, 106, 116 and 124 as set forth above. When the carbon dioxide in the sphere has been evacuated and the pressure drops, the pressure sensitive switch 108 is energized and the signal therefrom closes valves 76' and 132 and resets valve 44 so that it may again be opened when power is needed to be supplied by the power unit 10.

As can be seen from the foregoing a deepwater hydraulic power station has been provided with the capability of evacuating its tanks repeatedly. This permits generation of power over a long period of time without servicing or removal of the power unit from its site. If desired, the water expulsion units 14' and 14" can be provided with quick disconnect fittings 134 where the conduits cross from the expulsion units into the station 8. This will allow the station to be serviced underwater on site by removal of a unit whose chemicals are exhausted and replace it with a fresh unit.

The use of deepwater hydraulic power units lend themselves to being used in installations of multiple units. This would permit a constant available source of power, since while one unit is ready to generate power another can be evacuating its tanks. Such an installation can also find use in submersibles where a constant source of power could be provided by this installation of multiple hydraulic power units with the subject water expulsion system.

From the description and operation of the invention as set forth herein it is obvious that various modifications can be made within the scope and spirit of the invention. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as the specific embodiments disclosed What is claimed is:

1. A system for evacuating a tank of water at great ambient pressure, comprising:

first chemical reaction means to generate a gas;

means to conduct the gas into the tank;

second means to conduct the water out of the tank; and

second chemical reaction means to consume the gas in the tank.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first reaction means includes a vessel, adjacent to the tank, containing pellets which when admixed with water liberate hydrogen gas.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the conducting means includes a conduit connecting the vessel and the tank for conveying the pellets into the tank whereby the pellets can be admixed with the water in the tank thereby liberating hydrogen gas and displacing the water therein.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the second conducting means is a conduit connecting the tank with the ambient water.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the conducting means further includes a pressure sensitive switch that operates to open the conduit and the second conducting means when the tank reaches ambient pressure.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the second reaction means includes a vessel containing a substance chemically reactive with the hydrogen to consume it, and means to admix the chemically reactive substance with the hydrogen in the tank.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the means to admix includes a mixing tank connected to the vessel and the tank wherein the hydrogen and the substance are admixed thereby consuming the hydrogen and evacuating the tank.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the first reaction means includes a first vessel containing metal and a second vessel containing a fluid reactive with the metal to generate a gas.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the means to conduct includes a conduit connecting the first vessel to the tank, and a pressure sensitive switch to open the conduit and the second conducting means thereby displacing the water in the tank with gas.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the second means to conduct is a conduit connecting the tank with the ambient water.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the second reaction means includes a third vessel containing a substance chemically reactive with the gas to consume it, and means to admix the chemically reactive substance with the gas in the tank.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the means to admix includes a mixing tank connected to the third vessel and the tank wherein the gas and the reactive substance are mixed thereby consuming the gas and eva cuaiing the tank. 

1. A system for evacuating a tank of water at great ambient pressure, comprising: first chemical reaction means to generate a gas; means to conduct the gas into the tank; second means to conduct the water out of the tank; and second chemical reaction means to consume the gas in the tank.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first reaction means includes a vessel, adjacent to the tank, containing pellets which when admixed with water liberate hydrogen gas.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the conducting means includes a conduit connecting the vessel and the tank for conveying the pellets into the tank whereby the pellets can be admixed with the water in the tank thereby liberating hydrogen gas and displacing the water therein.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein the second conducting means is a conduit connecting the tank with the ambient water.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein the conducting means further includes a pressure sensitive switch that operates to open the conduit and the second conducting means when the tank reaches ambient pressure.
 6. The system of claim 5 wherein the second reaction Means includes a vessel containing a substance chemically reactive with the hydrogen to consume it, and means to admix the chemically reactive substance with the hydrogen in the tank.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein the means to admix includes a mixing tank connected to the vessel and the tank wherein the hydrogen and the substance are admixed thereby consuming the hydrogen and evacuating the tank.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the first reaction means includes a first vessel containing metal and a second vessel containing a fluid reactive with the metal to generate a gas.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein the means to conduct includes a conduit connecting the first vessel to the tank, and a pressure sensitive switch to open the conduit and the second conducting means thereby displacing the water in the tank with gas.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein the second means to conduct is a conduit connecting the tank with the ambient water.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the second reaction means includes a third vessel containing a substance chemically reactive with the gas to consume it, and means to admix the chemically reactive substance with the gas in the tank.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein the means to admix includes a mixing tank connected to the third vessel and the tank wherein the gas and the reactive substance are mixed thereby consuming the gas and evacuating the tank. 